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Sunday, March 23, 2014

Migration Update#1

The weather for the weekend didn't look too promising for migration with winds returning to a more north-westerly flow and so I wasn't expecting too much in the way of any new arrivals.

Redshank on Teal Pool - 3 on site Saturday, increasing to 4 Sunday!

A quick tour of the marina on Saturday morning didn't offer anything more of note but Brandon Marsh did produce my first Little-ringed Plover of the year, when a single bird dropped on to Willow Island, East Marsh Pool around mid morning. Other notables during my Saturday visit were a half dozen Chiffchaff and a couple of Blackcap in New Hare Covert. Redshank had increased to three and a single Green Sandpiper was also recorded on Teal Pool. Despite two pair of Oystercatcher still on site, no signs yet of any nesting preparation. Sand Martin numbers had reduced quite considerably from Friday's numbers, with only six seen during my stay.

Chiffchaff

Lesser Redpoll

It was no surprise to find a light frost when I arrived at Brandon this morning but it wasn't long before a nice selection of birds took my eye near the wind pump. A Linnet singing away atop an alder was a lovely thing to hear but the best was when north met south and something I've never witnessed before! A Chiffchaff happily singing away seemed to take offence with a Lesser Redpoll feeding nearby and a sudden melee took place, with both birds locked in combat before heading their separate ways, priceless!

Blackcap singing once more in New Hare Covert, a very pristine Siskin on the track away from Wright Hide and a further increase in Redshank numbers, with four today around the pools. Single Green Sandpiper still, (5) Oystercatcher at one point, although I personally missed the fifth, but only a single Sand Martin recorded during my stay.

Pure White Pheasant - Well apart from the head!

Away from the migration other notables of the day: Barnacle Goose, (3) Shelduck, (2) Goldeneye, (16) Snipe, (2) Cetti's Warbler heard, (3) Goldcrest, (1) Treecreeper, (2 pair) Bullfinch, Raven overhead near the farm area and the amazing site of a pure white Pheasant near the roadside on route to Brandon.

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